Has anyone seem much of an improvement in lending conditions from commercial lenders since January 2010?

As seller finance specialists we have seen a tremendous surge of inquiries from frustrated commercial property owners who claim most conventional lenders have totally withdrawn from the lower end of the market ($100K to $2M) once any special "accommodations" are all used up. We're wondering if this problem continues or if there's any light at the end of the tunnel?

Yes, have seen higher loan limits, more liquidity, mainly through private funds and investment funds.Skin in the game still remains high with 25-35% minimum cash in deal LTC.Seeing more international resort deals as well as domestic, still many deals coming in but no skin in deal!Paul Lukkar, GCFloan.net@gmail.com

It is tough to predict values -- certain markets are very different, ie. Tampa, FL vs. Omaha, NE.However, there is still a ton of inventory that has yet to hit the market which makes now, and the short term future, a great time to be buying.See my article: Sex, Drugs, Rock & Roll, and Real Estate.

The improvement since January 2010 is that more people are now cognizant of the shortage of leverage in real estate. More general negative is being expressed about this challenge; additional product is sitting waiting to be sold; buyers are increasingly cautious; and talk around "the water cooler" for those who still have the luxury of talking around the water cooler is "what a mess things are". This has the fragrance of a bottom to this economic trend. Lenders must lend to remain in business. It is all a matter of timing. Things get better when the general populace begins to believe they never will! Suffice to say when the bottom is in sight that is the wise time to find a way to buy, leverage or not! Only the courageous, wise people will accept this premise. Consequently, only the courageous, wise people will ride the upside that is coming just around the commercial real estate corner!Rob Baird, CA Real Estate License #544165 (One of the oldest RE licenses in CA)915 515-5855

I just closed on a commercial retail NNN property after negotiating three separate deals, all fast food with 20 year leases. All died with no financing...one ass tried to keep my deposit. Finally, I stopped looking for property and searched for FINANCING FIRST. I found a "local" bank then got their parameters for a property, 65%LTV and gold credit and invest. history. I got a limited commitment, then shopped. It STILL took almost five months to close and unbelievable hassles and delays. Everyone was pissed and moody in the end. I would wait this crap out rather than do this again. If you do it, try to find a bank first in the area you want then find a property. NNN is more solid in my opinion and addicting, Im on my fourth. Oh...the apartment building auction properties are very attractive if you have capitol and are in the developer end.